Republicans Beware-Choose Santorum-Forget Independents

huffingtonpost.com

As Rick Santorum continues to gain momentum on the campaign trail following his three recent primary victories in Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado, one has to question the Republican Party's goal of winning back The White House.  If defeating President Barack Obama is goal number one, how can you seriously be considering Santorum for the presidency when he has little chance of garnering the vote of the independent voter across this nation.  Certainly, Santorum meets the criteria of the conservative crowd but how on earth can he reach out to the independents and voters dissatisfied with President Obama?

His far right conservative political views once exposed by the Democrats, will leave little room for independents to embrace him as their candidate.  Recently, his views have been uncovered and exposed on the national scene with the contraception controversery as well as the Pentagon's announcement of shifting women closer to frontline combat.  As recent as October, Santorum proclaimed his contraceptive view, "Many in the Christian faith have said, "Well, that's okay.  Contraception's okay.  It's not okay because it's a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be."

Santorum expressed his views on moving women closer to combat by saying, "I think that could be a very compromising situation, where people naturally do things that may not be in the interest of the mission because of other types of emotions that are involved.  It already happens, of course, with the camaraderie of men in combat, but I think it would be even more unique if women were in combat.  And I think that's not in the best interests of men, women, or the mission."

I applaud Rick Santorum for maintaining a steady and sure path regarding his beliefs.  I actually respect him for sticking to his views and as an American, I gladly support his right to have the views he has and would fight for his right to not only have them but also to express them.  However, Santorum is seeking the Presidency and his views are contrary to the vast majority of the people of this nation. 

Santorum has made it clear that as president, he would repeal the change to  'Don't Ask, Don't Tell", referring to it as an attempt to "inject social policy" into military policy.  His views on homosexuality are clear.  "I have no problem with homosexuality" he says.  "I have a problem with homosexual acts".  Santorum maintains that, "it destroys the basic unit of our society because it condones behavior that's antithetical to strong healthy families."   Santorum has stated, "I believe we should move forward with a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman."

These views are fine and good.  However, they are out of step with a fairly sizable portion of the nation's population and will prevent him from being a serious challenger to President Barack Obama.  It's very clear that the Republican Party is not in love with Mitt Romney.  Scared to death about Newt Gingrich.  Unable to embrace Ron Paul.  Santorum fits the conservative movement perfectly but he just is not electable.   What will the Republican Party do? 

The Spin Of Failure And Success - American Politics

politico.com

American politics like life, is all about how one spins the story.  Like a job loss.  Did you get fired?  Did you quit?  Like a relationship breakup.  Did she break it off?  Did you break it off?  We Americans like to spin our story to our own perception and obviously, our own favor as we do not wish to feel less about ourselves.  Politics in Washington is very much the same.  This month's struggle between the Republicans and Democrats focused on extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits points to the nature of spinning one's own tale to save face and in this case, take credit.

Isn't it interesting how both the Republican and Democratic parties are claiming victory for the soon-to-be reached agreement on extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits.  No doubt, both of these issues are important to the working people across the nation and a win for American families.  A bipartisan agreement no less when Washington has shown no capacity for reaching an accord.  The spin should be that both parties worked hard together to reach the accord to benefit the American people. 

No, that type of harmony and bipartisanship is unacceptable to both parties.  Take for instance, these two comments from leaders of their respective parties. House Speaker John Boehner's spin was, "We were not going to allow Democrats to continue to play games and cause a tax increase for hardworking Americans.  We made a decision to bring them to the table so that games would stop and we would get this worked out."

Senator Max Baucus, the Democratic vice chair of the conference committee, made the following remarks, "This is very important for a lot of people, 160 million Americans, who are now going to maintain their payroll tax cut.  Lots of folks who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own are going to receive their unemployment benefits, seniors are going to be able to see their doctors to get Medicare, and it's good for the country.  Very good for the country". 

Spinning their respective stories to their perceived benefit is fine with me.  Truth be told, it's all harmless as long as progress is being made to benefit the nation and our citizens.  Let the Republicans take credit.  Let the Democrats take credit.  Far be it from me to be critical of either side when they actually are able to come together and agree on any piece of legislation.

For this one day, I will be happy to bestow all praise and glory to the Republicans for getting the deal done.  I will be happy to be praiseworthy of the Democrats too.  Congratulations to both parties.  How about making a habit of working together, finding compromise and negotiating good legislation.  No, alright then.  We will enjoy this one bipartisan effort and celebrate the fact that both parties can reach an agreement when it is in the best interests of our nation.